Add Standalone programs to your All Programs menu

When you click on your Start Orb and select ‘All Programs’ you are presented with a list of all the programs Windows 7 installed and all the programs you have installed.

But what if you have programs often referred to as ‘Standalones’ or ‘Portable Applications’ that do not require installation. Programs you simply copy to your computer or removable storage device e.g., a CD, USB flash drive, flash card or floppy disk and execute by clicking on its .exe file. An .exe file more often than not accessed via a Desktop shortcut.

The following is an example of how to include all Standalone programs on your ‘All Programs’ menu rather than having to access them via a Desktop shortcut?

1. Create a Windows 7 Explorer sub folder ‘Standalone Programs’.
2. Create an individual sub folder of your ‘Standalone Program’ folder for each of your standalone programs.
3. Add the standalone programs files (usually only an .exe file and maybe a readme file) to its appropriate folder.
4. Open each standalone program folder, right click on its .exe file and create a shortcut.
5. To be able to conveniently copy all the shortcuts, relocate them as individual files into your ‘Standalone Programs’ folder.
6 ‘Copy’ all of them.
7. Click on the Windows 7 Start orb, right clicked on ‘All Programs’ and select ‘Open’ from context menu.

Note: By selecting ‘Open’ you’ll be taken to Local Drive ( C ) > User > (your computer’s name) > Roaming > Microsoft > Start Menu.

8. Right clicked on ‘Programs’ and clicked on ‘New’ and ‘Folder’. Named the folder ‘Standalone Programs’.
9. Clicked on the ‘Standalone’ folder to open it and ‘Paste’ the shortcuts you copied from your Windows Explorer Standalone folder.

When you’re done you can click on ‘All Programs’ and ‘Standalone Programs’ to access all your individual standalone programs.

You can add new standalone shortcuts to your ‘Standalone Programs’ folder anytime or using my steps, add new folders to ‘All Programs’ that can include anything you want.

I’ve a confession. In a past Good Boot I bragged about overcoming my addiction to Desktop shortcuts. Well know I’ve fallen off the wagon.

Fortunately at my local Desktop shortcut anonymous meeting I was made aware of a super little Windows XP, Vista and 7 utility download - Toggle Desktop Icons (www.softwarecandy.com).

For only $7.46 I’m now able to make my Windows Desktop icons disappear and reappear instantly by simply pressing my keyboard ‘Pause’ key.

Embarrassed about your Desktop icon addiction? Hide them with Toggle Desktop Icons!

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

Let’s do it! A reinstallation of your dinged up perhaps malware infected Windows 7 that’ll not make any changes to your current data, settings, preferences, installed programs and drivers.

Let’s do it! A reinstallation of your dinged up perhaps malware infected Windows 7 that’ll not make any changes to your current data, settings, preferences, installed programs and drivers.

Step 1: If your Windows 7 has been updated to SP1 and your installation DVD does not include SP1 you must uninstall SP1.
1. Click Start > Control Panel > ‘Programs and Features’ or ‘Uninstall a Program’ under ‘Programs’.
2. Click ‘View installed updates’.
3. Select > Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) and click > Uninstall.

Step 2:
1. Click Start and type in ‘msconfig’ and click on ‘msconfig.exe’.
2. Click ‘Services’, then click on the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ checkbox and click ‘Disable all’.

Note: Only non Microsoft services will be disabled.

3. Click ‘Startup’ and ‘Disable all’.
4. Click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’.

Step 3: Turn off your anti virus program.

Step 4: A not absolutely necessary step: Access your Disk Cleanup utility and select ‘Clean up system files’

Step 5: Place DVD in player and run ‘Setup’.

Note: If you’re currently running a genuine copy of Windows 7 and a have a valid serial number it’s okay to borrow a same version Windows 7 installation DVD.

1. Windows will ask whether you want to allow the program to make changes to your computer. Click > Yes.
2. In the next windows click > Install.
3. Windows setup will proceed with copying temporary files and running a compatibility check.
4. Select ‘go online and get the latest updates’.
5. Accept the license terms and click > Next.

Step 6: Very Important! Select > ‘Upgrade’ when asked which type of installation you want.

Note: You’re not actually upgrading. You’re installing the same operating system over your existing installation. By selecting ‘Upgrade’, the installation will not make any changes to your current data, settings, preferences, installed programs and drivers.

The installation can take an hour or so and will re-boot your system several times.

Step 7: You’ll be asked to enter your product key.

Finally after going through a few basic settings and re-starts, you’ll be able to log onto a repaired and rejuvenated Windows 7.

Note: On your first logon, activate your account!

Step 8: Click Start > All Programs > Windows updates and reinstall SP1.
Step 9: Go to ‘msconfig’ and enable your non Microsoft ‘Services’ and reactivate the ‘Startups’ you disabled.

Note: If you’re unsure which non Microsoft ‘Services’ you disabled, the ‘Services’ panel will indicate those you turned off.

Step 10: Turn on your anti virus.

A healthy and perky Windows 7 is a good thing.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

If you’re the proud owner of a Windows 7 installation DVD, have a 25-character product key and an installed bootable Windows 7, you have all you need to repair Windows without wiping out your installed programs, personal settings and ‘Irreplaceable Stuff’.

If you’re the proud owner of a Windows 7 installation DVD, have a 25-character product key and an installed bootable Windows 7, you have all you need to repair Windows without wiping out your installed programs, personal settings and ‘Irreplaceable Stuff’.

However, know that repairing Windows 7 should be considered only after you’re sure the dings it’s experiencing can not be repaired by:

1.Executing a System File Checker.
* Click Start, All Programs, Accessories.
* Right click on ‘Command Prompt’ and click ‘Run as administrator’.
* If you’re prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password or click ‘Allow’.
* Type sfc /scannow. Note: there’s a space between sfc and the ‘/’.
* Press Enter.

The scan may take a few minutes. All your protected system files will be scanned and if Microsoft discovers an incorrect version, corrected. If it cannot replace or repair a file(s) the file(s) will be listed in a log. For additional information and how to access the log go to: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

Note: I recommend performing a periodic ‘just in case’ Windows 7 or Vista system file check.

2. Going to: http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/.
* At the Fix it Solution Center you can select a problem area e.g., Windows, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Entertainment, Office or Other.
Or
* Select from a list of ‘What are you trying to do’?

You might be pleasantly surprised at the options and recommendations the Fix it Solution Center offers.

If your System File Checker, Mr. Fix it or your technician cannot come up with a solution for your troubled Windows system or you just want to restore Windows to its trouble free, perky self, perhaps it’s time to use your Windows installation DVD to repair your system.

But first:
1. Keep in mind Murphy’s Law: ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong’. Always’s backup all your ‘Irreplaceable Stuff’ before doing anything that involves configuring your Windows system..
2. Check your Windows Installation DVD. If you have installed Service Pack 1, does your installation DVD include Service Pack 1? If not you’ll either have to delete Service Pack 1 and reinstall it after repairing Windows or borrow a DVD with service pack 1.

Note: It’s okay to borrow an installation DVD if you’re currently running a genuine copy of Windows 7 and a have a valid serial number.

3. Between now and next week’s Good Boot decide whether or not you really want to repair your Windows 7.

If you do, we’ll do it!

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

There may come a day when you have serious thoughts about reinstalling your dinged up perhaps malware infected Windows 7, but would like to be able to do so without any changes being made to your current data, settings and preferences to include installed programs and drivers

Last week I discussed using Windows 7's Control Panel ‘Create a system image’ which if kept current is a far more convenient way to restore your system than having to reinstall your Windows, programs, hardware, their updates and all your backed up ‘irreplaceable stuff’ should your hard disk fail or your operating system become so corrupted it cannot be repaired.

However there may come a day when you have serious thoughts about reinstalling your dinged up perhaps malware infected Windows 7, but would like to be able to do so without any changes being made to your current data, settings and preferences to include installed programs and drivers.

Well guess what? For some of you it can be done.

For many of you however it cannot be done as you do not have a Windows installation DVD.

Why don’t you have an installation DVD? Because rather than providing a separate Windows installation DVD your computer manufacturer includes Windows 7 as part of a system image located in a hard drive partition or included on a recovery DVD.

Whether a computer manufacturer provides access to a recovery image located on your hard drive should your Windows become corrupted beyond repair or a recovery DVD or a way for your to create a recovery DVD to be used should your hard drive fail, the restore will be to the manufacture’s original settings. Your current settings, programs, personal preferences and ‘Irreplaceable Stuff’ will be deleted.

All will not be lost if you have your program CD\DVD’s and\or an off computer backup of your downloaded program setup files. But alas should you not have a recent backup of your ‘Irreplaceable Stuff’, as Willie Nelson sang - turn out the lights, the party’s over.

However if you’re fortunate enough to be the proud owner of a Windows 7 installation DVD and an installed bootable Windows 7, you have all you need to repair Windows without wiping out your installed programs, personal settings and ‘Irreplaceable Stuff’.

Note: If you do not have an installation DVD for your edition of Windows 7, it’s okay to borrow one. The important thing is you’re currently running a genuine copy of Windows 7 and a have a valid serial number.

Next week I’ll discuss how to repair your Window 7 using a Windows installation DVD.

In the meantime a thought. If you have a tendency to abuse your Windows and might want to periodically repair it, think about investing in a Windows 7 installation DVD.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

I must confess I was in error in not mentioning in my most recent backup tutorials Windows 7's ‘Create a system image’ backup utility (Control Panel > Backup and Restore > Create a system image).

A System Image (often referred to as a Disk Image) is an exact copy of a hard drive. It includes Windows and your system settings, programs and files. The image can be used to completely restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk fails or your operating system is corrupted beyond repair.

Note: When you restore your computer from a system image you cannot choose individual items to restore. All of your current programs, system settings and files are replaced with the contents of the system image.

The reason for this rather tardy review of Windows 7 System Image is that until recently I was not convinced keeping a system image file current was worth the effort. With the number of updates and configuration changes made almost daily to my Windows system, I figured if I lost my hard drive or corrupted Windows beyond repair I might just as well reinstall Windows, my programs and then all my backed up irreplaceable Stuff.

Recently however I was challenged by a Microsoft technician to give Windows 7's System Image backup a try.

I took the challenge and did a System Image backup and restore of my lab rat. The adventure was all she promised it would be. It was easy to access: Control Panel > System and Security > Backup your computer and ‘Create an image backup’. And selecting the proper backup settings was a no brainer.

I was even reminded when the System Image backup was competed to create a recovery CD that would allow me to restore the image using a bootable recovery disc.

I’m now a believer!

However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Like a backup of any file, a system image is only as current as its last backup. So I suggest you establish a frequent system image backup regimen.
2. To not forsake a strict traditional backup regime of your ‘irreplaceable files’. By doing so should a system image restore fail, you’ll still have the option to reinstall Windows using your Windows 7 installation disk, your programs via their installation disks or downloaded installation files and then restore your ‘irreplaceable files from their backup media.
3. To keep your virus and malware software up-to-date. A System Image of infected Windows system files is no better than the original.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

This is my second Good Boot ‘file away for future reference’ tutorial.

Recently a number of Good Booters asked for assistance restoring their Control Panel’s ‘Display’ applet they claimed vanished after an Adobe Photoshop Elements deletion. Losing their ‘Display’ applet also prevented them from adjusting their ‘Screen Resolution’ via a right click on the Desktop.

Quite frankly I’m not all too sure deleting Photoshop Elements was the cause of their problem but as I have experienced the loss of my Control Panel’s ‘Display’ applet and for that matter other Control Panel applets for a variety of reasons, I thought a quick tutorial on how I regenerated them might be appreciated.

Although this tutorial is appropriate for repairing, restoring and adding most Control Panel applets, for the purpose of this tutorial I’ll use restoring the ‘Display’ applet.

Solution One: Execute a System File Checker.
1. Clicking on Start, All Programs, Accessories.
2. Right-click on ‘Command Prompt’ and click ‘Run as administrator’.
3 If you’re prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password or click ‘Allow’.
4. Type sfc /scannow. Note: there’s a space between ‘c’ and /.
5. Press Enter.

The scan may take a few minutes but all your protected system files will be scanned and corrected if Microsoft discovers an incorrect version.

If this does not solve your problem try Solution Two: A benign, novice friendly adjustment to the ‘Registry’.
1. Create a Systems Restore Point.
2. Click on your Start Orb and type regedit in your Start Search box.
3. Click regedit.exe at the top of the list.
4. Backup your Registry when you arrive at the Registry Edit pane. (Click ‘File’ and ‘Export’. Give the Registry backup file a name and Save it to a My Documents subfolder.)
5. Now go to following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\don’t load
6. This key contains ‘.cpl’ entries in the right-side pane that do not appear in the Control Panel e.g., hdwwiz.cpl, appwiz.cpl, ncpa.cpl, sysdm.cpl, desk.cpl, joy.cpl, firewall.cpl, collab.cpl, irprops.cpl, tabletpc.cpl, bthprops.cpl, infocardcpl.cpl. You can Google the .cpl’s for their definition.
7. Right click on and delete ‘desk.cpl’.
8. Exit Regedit.
9. Click the Control Panel’s ‘View’ and ‘Refresh’ and/or reboot.

The ‘Display’ applet should reappear and be functional.

Note: I suggest you do not delete the whole ‘don't load’ key in Windows 7 as you might get some duplicate items in Control Panel e.g., 2 Keyboards, 2 Mouses, 2 Sound entries. Rather delete only missing or malfunctioning Control Panel applets from the right-side pane.

Here’s wishing you a Good boot.

My next several Good Boots will be dedicated to how you can expeditiously resolve common annoyances if your technician is on vacation.

Many Good Booters have discovered after installing or reinstalling Windows 7 or after installing or uninstalling an application that has a CD/DVD filter driver they receive an error message ‘No compatible drives found’ and their CD, DVD and/or Blue-ray drive does not appear in their Windows Explorer Navigation pane.

The technical reason may be:
* The filter drivers in the CD/DVD/Blue-ray storage stack did not migrated successfully to Windows 7.
* An uninstalled application failed to properly remove itself from the registry.
* An installed application added filter drivers in the CD/DVD/Blue-ray storage stack that interfered with existing filters.

The non technical reason may be - ‘you’re simply experiencing a ‘you may never know why computer glitch’.

If you do experience a Windows Explorer CD\DVD\Blue-ray no-show I suggest your first attempt at resolving the problem should be to click your Start button and Control Panel. Click ‘Troubleshooting’ and in the left pane click ‘View all’ and ‘Playing and Burning CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs’.

The troubleshooting Wizard may solve your problem.

If it doesn’t try the following.

Note: Do not be overly concerned about this Registry modification. It’s simple and benign.

1. Create a Systems Restore Point. (Start > Control Panel > System > System Protection > Create a restore point right now.)
2. Type regedit in your Start Search box.
3. Click regedit.exe in the Programs list.
4. Backup your Registry when you arrive at the Registry Edit pane. (Click ‘File’ and ‘Export’. Give the Registry backup file a name and Save it to a My Documents subfolder.)
5. Locate and then click on the little triangle to the left of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. You’ll see a list of subkeys.
6. Find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\ {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.
7. To verify you’re in the appropriate registry subkey, make sure the (Default) data value is DVD/CD-ROM and the Class data value is CDROM.
3. In the right pane if there’s an UpperFilters and possibly a UpperFilters.bak entry, right click on them and click Delete. Click ‘Yes’ to confirm their removal.
4. In the right pane if there’s a LowerFilters and possibly a LowerFilters.bak entry, right-click on it and click Delete. Click ‘Yes’ to confirm their removal.

Exit Registry Editor and restart your computer. You should be back in business. If not, best you wait for your technician to return from vacation.
Keep this article tucked away. It’s a novice friendly remedy for a common computer illness.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

In this Part 4 of my Windows 7 Control Panel tutorial, I’ll provide an example of a Windows 7 expanded source of information.

Recently a Good Booter asked why if I suggested in a Good Boot that after upgrading to Windows 7 one could begin their normal computing adventures without first having to master Windows 7, was I dedicating so many Good Boots to Windows 7 tutorials?

There are two reasons. One, I know from experience most Good Booters like their tutorials in a Good Boot single subject novice friendly vignette style and two, most important when there’s a release of a new version of Windows I try to seed their memory with ‘I remember Al mentioned that’ recollections about what new and upgraded feature might assist them in obtaining information and\or help with a new or expanded Windows adventure.

In this Part 4 of my Windows 7 Control Panel tutorial, I’ll provide an example of a Windows 7 expanded source of information.

Most XPers are probably familiar with XP’s Control Panel ‘Add or Remove Programs’ feature and might assume that
until they were going to add or remove a program, Windows 7's ‘Programs and Features’ feature (where uninstall is now located) would not have additional features important enough to warrant a visit.

But they would be remiss as they would not be aware that in addition to uninstalling or changing (to include repairing) a program by selecting it and clicking on Uninstall, Change or Repair, they can:

* If Details View is selected (far right on Organization bar) discover on the Columns Header bar a program’s publisher, installation date, size and version.
* By right clicking on the Columns Header bar and selecting ‘More’, discover many additional Column Header bars to include ‘Support telephone number’, ‘Registered owner’ and ‘Product ID’.

Note: The Column Headers bars can be arrange for convenience up or down on the ‘More’ panel.
Note also: The current Column Header bars can be arranged by right clicking on any one of them and Dragging it left or right.

* By clicking on Organize > Layout > Details pane, discover at the bottom of the pane a products version, Support link and Help link and in some cases a specific product Comment.

On the Navigation Panel you can also:
* Access all your Windows Updates with the dates they were installed.

Note: Right click on the Windows Update Column Header and ‘More’ for additional features.

* Access and select or de select specific Windows features available to your version of Windows.

Note: By passing your pointer over a Windows Feature you’ll be provided with a description of that feature.

See what you might have missed!

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

In this Part 3 of my Windows 7 Control Panel tutorial, I’ll review Devices and Printers.

When you open ‘Devices and Printers’ from either your Control Panel or Start menu you’ll discover all the devices connected to your computer.

From the panel you’ll be able to install, view and manage your devices and printers as well as troubleshoot one that isn’t working properly.

Devices displayed are typically:
* Portable devices you occasionally connect to your computer e.g., mobile phone, portable music player, digital camera.
* Devices you plug into a USB port(s) e.g., external USB hard drives, flash drives, webcams, keyboards and mice.
* Printers connected wirelessly or via USB cable or network.
* Wireless devices e.g., Bluetooth devices and Wireless USB devices.
* Your computer.
* Compatible network devices e.g., network - enabled scanners, media extenders, Network Attached Storage devices.

Devices and Printers does not display:
* Devices installed inside your computer case e.g., disc drives, video cards, sound cards, RAM (memory), processors, and internal hard drives.
* Older devices such as keyboards and mice connected through a PS/2 or serial port.
* Speakers connected to your computer with conventional speaker wires.

Note: USB and wireless speakers may be displayed.

From the presentation of Devices and Printers you can:
* Add a new wireless or network device or printer to your computer.
* Determine if a specific device is working properly.
* Find information about your devices e.g., make, model and manufacturer.
* Troubleshoot a device with a problem.
* Fix devices that aren't working properly.
* Perform tasks with a device.

Note: When you right-click a device icon in Devices and Printers, often you can select from a list of tasks. They may vary depending on the capabilities of the device e.g., you might be able to see what's printing on a network printer, view files stored on a USB flash drive or open a program directly from the device.

Note: To troubleshoot a device - right-click a ‘device’ or ‘computer’ with a yellow warning icon and click Troubleshoot. If the troubleshooter detects a problem it may provide instructions to solve the problem.

Important: If after you’ve right clicked on your ailing printer in Devices and Printers, clicked on ‘Remove’ and then re booted to see if Windows will re install the printer trouble free and if Windows 7 Troubleshooter cannot determine a solution for your printer problem, I recommend unless you’re an experienced user you contact your technician. Further attempts on your part to administer a solution may only add to the problem.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

In this Part 2 of my Windows 7 Control Panel tutorial, I’ll begin a presentation of the Action Center.

In my opinion Windows 7 Control Panel Action Center is far more useful and informative than Vista’s Security Center. It provides maintenance features as well as a one stop location to view the status of your computer security settings and services. It also continually monitors Windows 7 security settings and informs you via pop-up notification balloons if there’s a problem.

Note: If your Control Panel is set to ‘Viewed by’ Category, click System and Security. If it’s set to ‘Viewed by’ Large or Small icons, click on Action Center.

Novice users - please pay attention! When you open your Action Center for the first time, be sure to click on the Security. The current status of all your most important settings will be displayed.
To include the status of your:
1. Network Firewall and what firewall is currently protecting your computer.
2. Windows Update and how it’s installed.
3. Virus Protection.
4. Spyware and unwanted software protection. Click on the link to view your installed anti spyware program(s).
5. Internet security settings.
6. User Account Control with a link to change settings.
7. Network access protection if it applies.

Obviously the status of your system’s security is important enough for you to schedule a periodic visit to your Action Center. Important enough for you to right click on Action Center and send a shortcut to your Desktop if you are a bit memory challenged.

Next, click on Maintenance. It includes settings for:
1. Check for solutions to problem reports.
2. Backup.
3. Check for updates.
4. Troubleshooting: System Maintenance with a link to Change troubleshooting settings. Note: Go there! Make sure you are satisfied with the settings.

Action Center will notify you when items need your attention.
* Red items are Important. They indicate significant issues that should be addressed ASAP.
* Yellow items are suggested tasks you should consider addressing e.g., recommended maintenance tasks.

To quickly see whether there are any new messages in Action Center, place your mouse over the Action Center icon in the Notification area at the far right of the taskbar. Click the icon to view more detail and click a message to address the issue.

If you’re having a problem with your computer and it has not been identified, click on the Action Center Troubleshooting link. It has multiple troubleshooting features. Though they’ll never replace a qualified technician, they are safe and novice friendly.

Here’s wishing you a good Boot.